Kaynaaz

I feel someone's weight on my thighs and open my eyes slowly, shoving whatever was kept on my muscle, I hear the something groan in pain as my eyes finally adjust to the light of the room.

Kyra didi was sleeping soundly next to me, and Rooh sits up straight in the sheets before staring at me with an annoyed look.

"It's early in the morning did you have to shove me awake?"

She pushes my legs aside before snuggling back into the sheets and closing her eyes.

I slip out of the bed seamlessly but my feet pause in their place seeing Inaya and Anvi spread out on the floor and sleeping as if it's the most comfortable mattress ever.

I look at the ticking clock on the wall in front of the dresser before carefully stepping over the beauties sleeping on the hard ground.

Standing in front of my bathroom mirror I stare at my reflection

Messy hair, lipstick smudged on my lips and mascara smudged under my eyes. Light pain jolts my head as I groan, regretting my decision to drink last night.

I quickly wash my face and brush my teeth before moving out of my warm bedroom, the girls still sound asleep.

The only thing I remember of last night was us drinking alcohol along with soda so Kyra Di wouldn't figure out our mischief. After that, even I don't know how drunk I had gotten.

I scratch my head lightly before stepping into the living room and looking at my surroundings.

Riri was sound asleep in a shady corner of the room while Kanishk sat on one of the sofas dressed up in a black shirt and some jeans.

"Where are you going bhai?"

I plop down next to him, snuggling into his side. His hands automatically make it to my hair, softly massaging my scalp.

"I've to go pick up a few things before the wedding tonight. Did you freshen up?"

"Mhm, I just have a headache."

A yawn escapes my lips before I close my eyes again, resting against my brother's warmth. He might be busy sometimes, but he's really the one person who makes me feel the safest. I hope this wedding works out well for him, he deserves it.

Before I know it, I slip into light slumber again. I hear a soft murmur around me, the sound of people moving around before someone nudges me softly.

"Pengu baby, time to wake up. We've to get our dresses."

I open my eyes slowly to find Kyra Di standing in front of me, wearing a red kurta with her hair behind her back. She gives me a soft smile before helping me to sit up straight and handing me a glass of lemon juice.

"Have this and get ready okay? I'm going to call someone to come pick us up. I don't have the energy to drive."

"Baki sab kidhar hai?"
(Where is everyone else?)

"The girls went home and are getting ready, and Bhai went out with Ishaan to get his things."

I give her a slow nod, soaking in the words before getting up and moving to my room. I need to wash away this hangover.

Time skip

I glare at the mischief-filled eyes looking at me from the rearview mirror of the car.

I was having the best day of my life, considering it's my brother's wedding today and I will finally get the sister-in-law I was hoping for. But it got spoilt as soon as I saw the face who was going to drive us to the bouquet.

I gently nudge Kyra di's side and she takes her eyes off her phone before giving me a questioning look.

"Why did you have to ask Aayan to drive us?"

I keep my voice low so it doesn't reach his sharp ears as he makes a conversation with his cousin, Anvi, sitting in front wearing a mid-length bodycon dress. They both chuckle at something before Anvi continues to blabber how she accidentally burned her breakfast this morning.

"Because everyone else is busy. Ishaan and Kanishk went to shop for their things and Shiv.. well he's busy somewhere I don't know where exactly."

A sigh of annoyance leaves my lips and I hear my sister chuckle softly before she ruffles my hair with her small hands.

"Chill, he won't bite you. Anyways you're the one who slapped him not the other way around."

Wow.
Even my sister is taking this bastard's side. Like. Is anyone even on my side? He always has Inaya and Anvi wrapped around his finger by the way he treats them like the princesses they are. Rooh doesn't seem bothered by him, and now even Kyra di is taking his side.

Kyra must have sensed my disappointment because she put her phone down and cupped my cheeks softly.

"I'm not taking sides, you'll always be my favourite human no matter what."

A dimple pokes at her cheek as she smiles towards me and places a soft peck on the top of my head, she then makes me lay my head on her shoulder as a way of showing her affection.

"I love you Kay baby."

Her soft coos make me break out into a huge smile and I feel her shake with a laugh probably after seeing the way my lips have reached my cheeks.

I relax against her shoulders as she picks up her phone and continues to type in something on her Notes App.

"What are u writing di?"

"A poem. Well, something of the sort. I met Tanmay outside college yesterday and I wrote one last tribute to him."

My vision blurs with red upon hearing the bastard's name. The slashes he had brought to my sister's heart could never be played for even if I slashed the skin of his neck. Kyra is a soul that needs to be protected. Although she refuses to agree to anything of the sort, I think everyone in our circle has this silent agreement.

If she can give her heart and soul to us. The least we can do is keep her beautiful soul safe.

My eyes linger on the screen of her phone as she continues to switch between typing and thinking, carefully noising down her words.

"Our story started with an ordinary day and ended with the same, the only difference,
One day we smiled and the other that smiled washed away.

I felt something I had never before when you circled your hands around me,
I was glad I finally found you and you finally found me.
But now nothing but disgust fills my brain, picturing how you stabbed me.

what a foolish person I am, to have believed we were forever.
I always promised that I'd stay and love you, and not one sentence was a lie.

I held onto your promises, promises you made only to be turned into lies.

Never gave you up or the love we had...
but I guess all bad brutal things come to an end so this is our final goodbye,
and I hope you'll regret."

The poem ends off with her signature "P. L." — the meaning of which none of us know — and I feel a sense of pride flush through my blood. She's starting to realise she deserves better.

"Aww look at the two angels having their sister time."

My eyes shoot up to Anvi who's looking at us with a grin on her face. Anvi had always been the carefree fun person of the group. People could be saying all sorts of shit to her but she would simply flip them off and walk away like the gorgeous queen she is. Her every quality, from the beauty of her features to her 'idgaf' personality, makes me admire her more.

I feel a graze lingering on my cheek and turn my head towards Aayan who's looking at me like he'll devour me right here.

Not that I would mind being devoured.

What- What are you saying Kaynaaz?

I mentally slam my brain on the wall telling it to shut up with all the deep desires it has been pulling at. I don't want contact with this innocent-looking but actually crazy doctor of a man. He probably heals people during the day and skins them alive at night.

A shiver runs down my back at thought and I see him smirking at me.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

The words bubble out of my mouth as soon as Kyra, Anvi and Rooh leave the car, abandoning me to his annoying presence.

"It would be a crime not to stare at a piece of artwork."

His words do something to me and I feel like something dancing in my stomach yet again.

I roll my eyes and give him a scowl to mask my true emotions before opening the door of the car and walking a few steps behind my girls.

The bridal boutique was huge. No. Massive.

Racks and racks filled with dresses of a thousand colours surrounded every corner of the room and in the middle stands a huge mirror surrounded by various lights.

It doesn't take us much time to pick out our outfits from the racks with the help of professionals.

I stare at the beautiful ember green lehenga clad around my body. The blouse sinches in my chest, a bit of my cleavage visible and the skirt of my fit flows from my belly button to towards my legs.

I look in the mirror to find Aayan staring at my figure intently, a cigarette between his lips. He picks up his veiny hand before giving me a thumbs and winking at me.

I feel my cheeks heat up at his simple gestures and I don't notice Rooh standing in front of me and clicking pictures.

"You always look so hot, I can definitely post these pictures and say you're my girlfriend."

A grin spreads on his lips and I hear the other two girls laugh at her silly behaviour. Meko gf Kya banaegi ye, isko toh main Avi ki gf banaugi.
(I will not become her girlfriend, rather I will make her Avi's girlfriend.)

Time skip

Almost after two hours of sorting and shifting and picking. We finally get our dresses packed and ready to go.

As soon as I step outside the shop, the smell of cigarette smoke hits my button nose. I scrunch my nose before gazing at its source, who's standing tall in front of me, staring down at the bag in my hand.

"You're a doctor you know."

His eyes linger on mine and I feel a shiver up my spine seeing the dark hue of his orbs. He nods his head paying no heed to my words and continues to puff out smoke like the arsehole he is.

"Stop smoking, we're in public."

He removes the toxic substances from his lip and leans over me so our faces are inches away.

"I'll stop if you replace this cigarette with your beautiful lips mi amor."

My lips part slightly, surprised at his spark-sending flirt. I open my mouth again to say something but no words come out.

"Speechless?"

His voice holds a sense of amusement and dorkiness. Does he find it funny to see me flustered like this? Little piece of shit-

"Listen you asshole, unless you want a piece of my red heels in your face again stop with your stupid flirts."

A smirk spreads on his face and I puff out a sigh of frustration. Who does he think he is? How can he just barge into my life, my heart shake, and make my stomach erupt with those tiny crazy butterflies?

Before I say something repulsive again, his fingers hook under my chin and he lifts my face to look at him.

"Your obsession with throwing heels is the same as my obsession over you, isn't it min kärlek"

Kanishk

A sigh of nervousness leaves my lips as Kyra adjusts my clothes for one last time before we leave.

I had been sweating into chills since this evening. Kisine bataya nhi tha shaadi karna itna mushkil hota. Mujhe toh bas meri Ipshita chahiye. Aur ye ek hafte me pata nhi konsi konsi rasam kar beithe hai.
(No one told me that getting married was so difficult. I just want my Ipshita. And here I don't know what and how many rituals they've performed in a week.)

"Kya soch rahe ho bhai?"
(What are you thinking bhai?)

Kyra smooths out the fabric over my chest before giving me a dimpled smile.

She was wearing a beautiful pink lehenga with silver stones and embroidery. Her lashes fluttered gently as she continues to fix the turban on my head.

"Soch raha hu, teri shaadi kab hogi."
(I'm thinking, when you'll get married,)

A chuckle escapes her lips and she smacks my chest softly.

"Chup raho bhai, abhi time hai meri shaadi me. Besides, I've got a feeling Kaynaaz will get married before me."
(Shut up Kanishk. There's time before my marriage. Besides I've got a feeling Kaynaaz will get married before me)

I raise my eyebrow at her in question. Did my little sissy find a husband already? Iss bande ki class leni padegi.
(I'll have to deal with this guy)

"Who's the guy?"

"Aayan. You should see the way he looks at her, it's so kdrama worthy."

She joins her hands together, sighing in content as she swoons over the two. How did that little piece of shit fall for my sister? Last time I remember, he was and I quote "I'm heartless and I don't want to love, I've a heart of stone Kanishk."

Ajeeb.
(Weird)

Definitely need to have a boy talk with him.

I hear a ping from Kyra's phone and she lifts it to check the notification. A stress line forms between her eyebrows and u sense hesitation and disturbance in her eyes.

"What's wrong bacha? Who is it?"

She shakes her head before closing her phone a giving me a forced smile.

"Nothing Teddy, let's go, we'll get late otherwise."

I shake my head out of stubbornness and put my hand in front of her asking for her devices. She hesitates again but hands me her phone obediently.

Confusion clouds my mind as I look at the text she got from an unknown number

I frown forms on my face and I hear Kyra suck in a breath. Who is this motherfucker?

"Who's is this Kyra?"

"I don't know Bhaiya."

"Kyra. Look at me."

She lifts her head - which was previously lowered with her eyes on the floor - and looks at me with clouded eyes. Her body language gives away her nervousness and confusion.

"Who is it?"

My voice comes out stern this time but I instantly regret it when tears pool up in her eyes.

"I don't know sachi me bhaiya."
(I don't know, for real.)

Her voice comes out squeaky and I feel my heart seize. My hands gently cup her soft cheeks and my eyes soften.

"Hey, I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare or scold you, I'm just concerned. Sorry bacha."

She shakes her head softly before hugging my waist tightly. My hands wrap around her tiny head and softly caress her silky hair.

"Don't be sorry Bhai it's okay."

Before I can say something more to her, I hear our names being called by a stern voice. I whip my head over my shoulder to see my father standing there looking as handsome as ever. Mom clings next to him, her dress matching Kyra's.

My sister pulls away from me before wiping away any stray tears. She looks up at our parents and her eyes go dark staring at our father's figure.

They never got along. Dad never supported Kyra with the field she works in and secretly I'm sure he blames her for the car accident which happened when she was just a child. Even if he's secretive about his thoughts and feelings, Kyra sees right through him.

I hear her clear her throat before she turns around and leaves out the door, standing next to Shiv and Ishaan. Ishaan ruffles her hair softly and Shiv punches her arm for which he gets a smack on the head in return.

She smiles a little before she and the younger Khurana burst out laughing.

At least she's safe around us. She should know this by now. She's our angel, who cares and loves, but we're the force that protects her even if we have to risk everything for it.

Time skip

"Come on bro shake your hands at least bhabhi aane wali hai."
(Come on bro shake your hands at least we're about to get a sister-in-law)

I give a death stare to Shivyansh who was currently dancing his legs and hands off alongside my dad and younger sister Kaynaaz.

Dance? These motherfuckers have been dancing for the past three hours, while I've been stuck on this goddamn horse. My ass is probably swollen by now.

Barat hai Bhai, Jagraata nhi.

As if sensing my discomfort, Mom looks at me and smiles. I mouth "Please Chalo na." To her, she lets out a chuckle before making everyone move forward.

My sisters sway their hips as the Boys cheer them up for their dance moves. A smile forms on my face as Dadi gets dragged between them.

At least everyone is happy. That's what matters, even if my ass cheeks are in brutal pain.

After another hour of wiggling their asses and shaking their hands above their head. These people decide to end my misery, and we finally arrive at the footstep of my future in-laws.

As long as I was on the horse, everything was fine, except my ass of course. But as soon as my feet touch the ground, I break into cold sweat again.

"Don't worry, you got this."

Shiv pats my back softly and I take in a deep breath before holding up my head high.

With my heart beating rapidly in my chest, I await to gaze at the eyes of the one I had loved since the first moment I laid eyes on her. In this moment, I knew there was no turning back - it was time to finally make her mine, and only mine.